Instead of a full language arts curriculum in 8th grade, we use a strong vocabulary program and a steady diet of reading and essay writing. The vocabulary program is Vocabulary from Classical Roots – Level A (see details ).
Comprised of several levels, each level’s book has 16 lessons. Each lesson features several Greek or Latin roots and the English words formed with the root. Each lesson has 3 sections and a review, so you can do one lesson in a week. The lessons are grouped in couplets so we prefer to study various sections of 2 lessons over about a 2 week period. A test booklet and Teacher Guide/Answer Key are also available to complete the 3 booklet package for each level. The material is described well and the student can work each lesson without help.
The lesson “couplets” are taught as follows using lesson 1 and 2 as an example:
1st day – Lesson 1 sections A & B
2nd day – Lesson 2 sections A & B
3rd day – Lesson 1 section C + Lesson 2 section C
4th day – Lesson 1&2 Review (this is a single section in the book for each pair of lessons)
The tests are also for each pair of lessons, for 8 tests total. We suggest completing the 16 lessons, then going back to lesson 1 and 2, having the student review these lessons one day and take the test the following day. Finally, any test errors are corrected by reviewing the lessons one more time.
We teach vocabulary 3 days a week. The 4 day sequence per couplet, for 8 couplets takes about 10 weeks. The review/testing takes another 8 weeks, if you stay with the 3 lessons/week pace. The testing can be accelerated if desired and the student may not have many errors therefore being able to complete the tests for 4 lessons (2 couplets) in a single week. Thus the total level can be done at a reasonable pace in about 14 weeks.
So level A and B can be completed in 8th grade, or you may try other vocabulary exercises after completing level A. We have assigned our student to write down unknown words in any reading, then look them up in the dictionary and possibly use them in a sentence.